Danny Jones pool upgrade plans to be unveiled

Local mayors, state Rep. Wendell Gilliard and former world-ranked swimmer Marco Cavazzoni will meet in North Charleston on Friday to unveil a plan to convert that city’s Danny Jones Pool for year-round use.

North Charleston City Council already has committed $1 million for the project’s first phase, and once it’s all complete, the Danny Jones Complex will be fully enclosed and heated.

The improvements not only will provide competitive swimmers another year-round training venue, but it also will benefit education in water safety, including swimming lessons, and senior aquatic activities. It also will boost a local program that reaches out to underprivileged children to try to prevent accidental drownings.

Cavazzoni, who currently works for Boeing, has been drumming up support for the idea in his spare time.

Private fund-raising is expected to raise about $250,000 toward the project, and Mark Rutledge with the Logan Rutledge Children’s Foundation also will be present Friday. Mount Pleasant has committed $100,000, and Charleston is expected to chip in $25,000 toward the foundation’s efforts.

The Danny Jones Pool is T-shaped and located just northwest of North Charleston’s Park Circle.